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Broward CenturionBroward CenturionTheThe
the official publication of the broward county police benevolent association
bcpba.org
Pines Targets Pensions ...................................................... 4Do You Know This Man? .................................................. 5Memorial Golf Tournament ............................................. 6
What’s Up ........................................................................... 11Letters & Thanks ............................................................... 12Law Enforcement News .................................................. 13
In this issue...
Volume 12, Issue 10 October 2009
Dade PBA Honors Fallen OfficersFallen Officer Tribute displayed at government center
The Dade County PBA created a tribute for the 133 po-lice officers who have been killed in the line of duty in Miami-Dade County.
The exhibit features 133 mannequins in black t-shirts that say, “I Died For You” on the front and bears the name and end-of-watch date for each fallen officer. A selection of pho-tographs puts a human face on the losses. At noon each day, a recording of the officers’ names was played.
PBA President John Rivera said that the tribute was created to “serve as a visual reminder of the sacrifice officers make,” and that it illustrates “the ever-present danger of law en-forcement.”
The tribute was displayed in Miami-Dade’s Stephen P. Clark government center during the month of September.Source: Miami Herald
PBA Filing Complaint Against Hallandale BeachOfficials failed to properly post public notice of pension fund meeting
The Broward County PBA is filing a complaint with the State At-torney’s Office against several Hallandale Beach city officials after the City failed to properly post a public notice of a Pension Fund
meeting held on August 24.
PBA aenior vice president Jeff Marano says that there wasn’t sufficient notice posted to alert police department employees of the meeting. Ac-cording to Florida’s Government in the Sunshine Laws, elected officials on the same board or commission can’t discuss issues they might vote on
unless they’re at a meeting where advance public notice is given and minutes are taken
The complaint was sent to the state attor-ney on September 15; we are awaiting their response.
October 2009
The Broward Centurion
The Official Publication of the Broward County PBA
(A Charter of the Florida PBA)2650 West State Road 84
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33312Telephone: 954/584-7600
Fax: 954/583-0405
Megan Gordon, Editor
E-mail: [email protected]
The Broward Centurion is published by the Broward County Police Benevolent Association for the sole benefit of its members. The Broward Centurion is dedicated to the advancement of the law enforcement profession through better and stronger community relations. The opinions expressed in the publication of The Broward Centurion are not necessarily those of the Broward County PBA, its Executive Board or the Board of Directors.
Members or readers submitting letters to the editor or articles for publication are requested to adhere to the following:
• Submissions should be sent to:
Broward County PBA Attn: Centurion 2650 West State Road 84 Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33312
• Letters or articles must be accompanied by the writer’s true name and address.
• All articles submitted for publication must be accompanied by a statement giving permission to publish.
• All submissions must be legible.
• The Broward County PBA reserves the right of the Executive Board or Editor to amend or to add
an editor’s comment to any article or letter submitted.
• Advertisement in this publication does not imply endorsement by the Broward County PBA unless otherwise specified.
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President’s Letter
Pat Hanrahan
I started September with my Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commis-sion orientation at FDLE. The CJSTC held probable cause hearings at Palm Beach Community College on September 15th and I attended to observe the proceed-
ings. My first official committee meetings will be October 27-29 in Panama City. If you have never observed a CJST hearing, you should try to attend one. Unfortu-nately, none of the full hearings are scheduled for our area next year. However, two regional probable cause determination hearings are scheduled in Broward during the later part of 2010. I’ll keep you posted. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the players, sponsors and volunteers that made the PBA Memorial Golf Tournament a huge success. Special thanks goes to Dick Brickman, Jeff Marano and Mike Saffrin who all worked so hard to put this together and made sure it ran so well. Also a very special thanks as always to the PBA staff: Linda, Kim, Chris, Lynn, Maryann, and Megan, some of whom worked the tournament while the others covered the office. The Executive Board of the Broward PBA traveled to Dade County to attend the dedication ceremony for the Dade County PBA’s tribute to their fallen officers. This was a tribute to the men and women of Dade County who have been killed in the line of duty. I would like to thank our brothers and sisters in Dade for the invitation and commend them for a job well done. On a sad note, the Broward County PBA lost two members due to medical problems: BSO deputies Marc Gallett and Wesley Davison. Our thoughts and prayers go out to their families and friends. We will miss you both. We have contracted with artist Stephen Williams to design and create a Police Memorial Wall for the Broward County PBA office. This memorial will be on the south wall of the PBA Office lobby. It will be the first thing a visitor to the office sees as they walk in. The wall will have the names of Broward’s officers killed in the line duty and, regrettably, room to make future additions. Stephen is the son of former PBA Rep and retired Sunrise member, Dave Williams. Work on the wall began on September 23, so excuse our mess in the lobby. The PBA attended the two Public Budget hearings at the County Commission re-garding the County and BSO’s budget. The first meeting on September 10th lasted al-most 4 hours. The second on September 22 started at 5 pm and lasted until 12:45 am. I would like to thank Debbie Reggio, BSO rep Bob Lahiff, and PBA members Nick Masters, Jeff Beculhimer, Steven Briggs, and Lorraine Szczepanic for attending the hearings. Please visit the PBA Web site, bcpba.org, and click on Video of the Week, to see and hear the nice comments about BSO deputies made by County Mayor Stacy Ritter at the first public budget hearing.
The Broward Centurion
Executive Board
Board of DirectorsBSO (Support)
Paul WeissBSO – At Large (LE)
Jonathan BailenMichael Joseph Catalano
Ronnie DeAngeloArmando Enrique
Robert LahiffJay Leiner
Jim PendergastRich Pisanti
Jeff PooleBSO – District (LE)
Craig BachanMatt Baldwin
Christopher BradleyMichael John Catalano
Joseph CapuaKelli Covet
James DematoIan Doriot
Rich EngelsTom McPartland
Dean MirraRobert Petoskey
James SnellMike SweeneyOsvaldo Tianga Jerry Vosburgh
Eric WeinerBSO (Lts)
Linda Canada-StuckBroward Schools Investigative Unit
Gary RoweBobby Spence - Alt.
Coconut CreekDan Eberly
Jason KohlhorstCoconut Creek (Sgts)
Curt Cuddeback
Hallandale Beach Gary McVey
Michel MichelAlex Vera
Ralph Matias - Alt.Hillsboro Beach
David ClarkHollywood
Steven BolgerChris Christianson
Billy FergusonKeith Wadsworth
Wilbur Fernander - Alt.Lighthouse Point
Daniel JamesLaura Tyler
Margate (Spvrs)Andy Zettek
MiramarWayne Dunlap
Marc GreensteinGeorge Mankowski
Ro Durney - Alt.Adam Lerner - Alt.
Pembroke PinesAndrew Brooks
Adam Feiner Al Xiques
Sea Ranch LakesJames O’Brien
Mike Tarr - Alt.Sunrise
John JaslowskiSunrise (Lts)Roger Torres
Wilton ManorsShawn Chadwick
Grant GundleChuck Howard
Welcome New Members
October 2009
3bcpba.org
Charter SecretaryLinda
Receptionist/MembershipLynn
Secretary/Detail CoordinatorKim
Legal Assistant Maryann
Communications DirectorMegan
Information TechnologyChris
Office Staff
Senior Vice PresidentJeff Marano
Vice PresidentNeil Vaughan
TreasurerDebbie Reggio
SecretaryRodney Skirvin
General CounselBarbara Duffy
Assistant General CounselClaudia I. Estrada
Immediate Past PresidentDick Brickman
Reinstated
PresidentPatrick Hanrahan
Retired
Mark F. Ardois Pembroke Pines PDJustin Augustus BSOSean C. Brewster Seminole PDGeni M. Burts Hollywood PDMallerie A. Hembd Hollywood PDMichael S. Hennessey BSOGilberto Marquez Pembroke Pines PD Jennifer J. Schmidt Pembroke Pines PDTiffany Smith Miramar PD
Joseph L. Fitzpatrick BSO
David GoltSteven Klein
October 2009The Broward Centurion
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Please Remember!When you change your address or beneficiary at your agency, you must contact the PBA to change it with us as well. HR does NOT communicate those changes to us; it is your responsibility.
Pembroke Pines Targets Pensions
The City of Pembroke Pines is attempting to balance their budget, hoping to get employee unions, including the PBA, to agree to pension cuts.
Commissioners voted on September 24 to raise property taxes 15 percent, but needs the cooperation of the unions to fill gaps. The commission says pension cuts would make a significant difference in how funding decisions are made. Ac-cording to city manager Charles F. Dodge, “Our pension costs have gone up so significantly, and that’s what has caused nearly all of our overruns.”
City considers declaring financial urgency to force cuts
Effective October 1, dues increased for all members. Dues go up on a yearly basis to keep pace with the costs of running the Broward County PBA. The new dues are:
$23.52 biweekly for sworn officers with a contract$124.80 per quarter for sworn officers without a contract$112.00 per quarter for non-sworn members
This is also an excellent time to make sure all of your contact and beneficiary information is up-do-date. Contact the PBA to check our records and update them if necessary.
For Your AttentionAnnual dues increase
According to city estimates, contribu-tions to the police and fire pension
jumped nearly $7 million, while the general employee pension contributions went up $3.6 mil-lion. Concessions from the three unions offer the opportunity for
the biggest savings, the city says, keeping more than $16 million dol-
lars in the coffers.At press time, negotiations were ongoing.Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Miami Herald
Did You Know?The $10,000 no-cost insurance policy offered by the Broward PBA
is available only to PBA members. Non-members are not eligible for this coverage.
Membership information is available at the PBA office and on our Web site at bcpba.org.
* * *
October 2009The Broward Centurion
bcpba.org 5
Do You Know Anyone Who Fits This Description?A genealogy and missing persons researcher in Rochester, New York
is attempting to reunite a woman given up for adoption with her biological mother. The woman was born in April of 1970 at Hol-
lywood Memorial.
The woman’s birth mother has a brother who was a police officer in Broward County during that time. The Broward PBA has been asked to put the word out to see if we can help locate this officer and, subsequently, his sister.
Here’s what we know about him:
Probably born in New York in 1944 or 45 •May have lived in Connecticut at one time•In 1970, he was married and had one child•He was 5” 8 1/2” tall and about 160 lbs. •Had two brothers: a Navy officer trained as a pilot and another that •joined the Merchant Marine Academy as well as a sister born around 1960He is of German, Irish and French descent•His parents were divorced. His father was a mechanical engineer•He loved drawing, fishing and sports•
If you have any information on this man, you can contact David Guenter of Step Back In Time Family Trees & Genealogy Missing Person Research in Rochester, NY at 585/527-0695 or via e-mail : [email protected]
Scare Tactics Used In Dade County? Officers investigated after speaking out at a county meeting
According to the Dade PBA, several Miami-Dade officers, part of the DARE program that was in danger of being cut, were subject to intimidation from the department after speaking out at a public
budget hearing.
Miami-Dade chief Willie Marshal requested the names of all officers who attended the meetings as well as the minutes from those meetings. The Dade PBA sent a letter to Miami-Dade police director Bobby Parker urg-ing him to put a stop to the obvious scare tactic which “flies in the face of the United States constitution and appears to violate the Department’s own policies and procedures prohibiting harassment and intimidation.”
New Thriller Keeps It In The FamilyTop Producer written by staff member’s uncle
Not only is Top Producer timely, the novel’s author,
Norb Vonnegut, is the uncle of Chris, the PBA’s IT specialist, which makes it required reading. Got to keep it in the family, right?
The book takes you into the life of Grove O’Rourke, a rising star at a top Wall Street brokerage firm. After his close friend dies, Grove discov-ers that everything is not what it seems to be—and it could actually kill him.
Norb is doing a book signing in the area:
Wednesday, October 14, 7:30 PMMurder on the Beach Mystery Bookstore 273 Pineapple Grove Way Delray Beach, FL, 33444
The book is getting excellent reviews, so go and get it. We’d love to hear what you think.
The department issued a statement that said they had received an ”inquiry about Miami-Dade officers at a previously held meeting where it was perceived that they may have acted inappropriately by making comments.” After the matter was looked into, the depart-ment determined that no one acted inappro-priately or unprofessionally.Source: CBS4
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The Broward Centurion October 2009
Police Memorial Ft. Lauderdale Country Club
Beneficiary Broward PBA’s HOPE Fund
Amount Raised$24,000+
October 2009The Broward Centurion
7bcpba.org
Golf TournamentSeptember 11, 2009
Bob LahiffArmando EnriqueMike CaseyAdam FeinerAndrew BrooksAl XiquesCarlos BermudezKeith WadsworthSteve SparkmanMike SaffranLeo SoccolKim HudsonLinda BrickmanPat HanrahanDebbie ReggioJeff MaranoRod Skirvin
Volunteers
October 2009The Broward Centurion
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American Realty AdvisorsAtlanta Capital ManagementBig Bend PBABogenschutz, Dutko & Kroll, P.A.Broward County Professional Firefighters & Paramedics #4321Coastal Florida PBADavis Hamilton, Jackson & Associates, L.P.Fisher Auction Co., Inc.Gabriel Roeder Smith & CompanyHispanic Police Officers Association, Inc.Holy Cross Emergency PhysiciansJames M. Stark, P.A.John Bartley FamilyJudith Stern Consulting, Inc.Klausner & Kaufman, P.A.Lori Parrish, Broward County Property AppraiserMayor Frank Ortiz – Pembroke PinesMetro SignsMichael Braverman, P.A.Michael G. Ahearn, P.A.Mickey Byrne’s Irish Pub & Restaurant
Police Memorial Ft. Lauderdale Country Club
Bronze Sponsors
Miramar BakeryNice Car, Inc. Since 1977
Palm Beach County PBAPanza, Maurer & Maynard, P.A.
Prince & Glick, P.A.Representative Elaine J. Schwartz
Representative Joe GibbonsRobert S. Winess, P.A.
Ronald Book, P.A.Schwartzreich & Yates
Shell Gas Station – 2801 Pembroke RoadSouthwest Fl. PBA, Inc.
State Correctional Officers PBASun Coast PBA
Tampa PBA The Jeffrey Marano Family
The Legend Group – Matt & Al OppedisanoTony Alfero, Esquire
Wadsworth Huott, LLPWest Central PBA
William P. Galvin, Keyes Realtor Associate
October 2009The Broward Centurion
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Inverness Counsel, Inc.JPGP, LLC – Main Street Coconut CreekNationwide Mutual Insurance Company
AFLAC – Al Zingales Senior Sales CoordinatorBuckhead Capital Management, LLC
Dade County PBA Love FundEricks Consultants, Inc.
Florida Police Benevolent AssociationGary Sullivan, Labor Benefit Plan, LLC
Humana Health Care, Inc.Mr. Robert Preston
The Hartford CompanyThe Legend Group
Golf TournamentSeptember 11, 2009
Gold Sponsors
Platinum Sponsors
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October 2009The Broward Centurion
October 2009The Broward Centurion
What’s Up?
11bcpba.org
Weddings • Birthdays • Reunions • Retirements
Book Your Next Event At
The PBA Hall
Book Your Next Event At
The PBA Hall
For reservations, call 954.584.7600
2901 SW 26th Terrace • Dania Beach(behind the PBA office)
Special Rates For PBA Members
Births
Hollywood detec-tive Bill Dardeen and his wife,
Cathy, welcomed a son, Tristan Leonard, on August 7th. Tristan weighed in at 6 lbs., 6 oz. and was 19 inches long.
Congratulations!Tristan Leonard
Manors PSA Retires After 20 Years
Wilton Manors PSA Amy Alexander is retiring from the department after 20 years of service to the com-munity.
We wish Amy much luck and happiness in her retirement. Congratulations!
Hollywood PD Officer Of The Month
Congratulations to Officer Keith Camilo for being selected Holly-wood Officer of the Month for June
and Officer Joe Tango for being selected for July.
Both officers were honored at an Award Presentation Ceremo-ny at City Hall on September 16.
October 2009The Broward Centurion
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Letters & Thanks
Radisson Orlando Resort Offers Employee Rate To PBA Members
This fall, take advantage of the cooler weather and the smaller crowds and visit the Orlando
area at a discount, courtesy of the Radisson Resort Orlando-Celebration.
The resort, located in Kissimmee, is extending its employee rate to our members in thanks for your service to the community. Book a room for travel between now and December 22 for just $59 per room, per night (plus tax and resort fee) or from December
23 through January 1, 2010 for $89 per room, per night (plus tax and resort fee).
To get these special rates, call the Radis-son at 800-634-4773 and request rate code EMP.
The Radisson Or-lando offers com-plimentary transportation to Disney, Sea World and Universal Studios. It
features giant free-form pools, a water slide, waterfalls and whirlpools and has organized activities and entertain-ment poolside throughout the day.
For more information on the resort, log on to radissonorlandoresort.com.
“ October 2009The Broward Centurion
13bcpba.org
Law Enforcement NewsDuluth, Ga. — A man in hand-cuffs managed to steal a cruiser from Duluth police after he was arrested on a DUI charge.
The man was caught after he pulled over and attempted to take off his handcuffs. The incident was recorded on the car’s dashcam. Source: cbsatlanta.com
New Market, Md. — A man was arrested by Fredrick County sheriff’s deputies after offering store clerks pot to pay for his gas.
The workers called police, who later searched the man’s motorcycle and found cocaine, oxycondone and mari-juana.
The 52-year-old man was charged with possession of cocaine, pot and drug paraphernalia.Source: wftv.com
Murfreesboro, Tenn. — A man who forced a cab driver to drive 100 miles at knifepoint was arrested after police tracked him down using a ther-mal imaging camera.
The suspect was picked up by the cab for a ride to the Nashville Airport. He pulled out a knife and told the driver to take him to Chattanooga. After a few hours the man told the driver to pull into a gas station because he was thirsty. The driver complied, then ran into the store and behind the coun-ter, where he called 911. The suspect chased the driver into the store, then
fled when an employee hit the store’s panic button.
Sheriff’s deputies tracked down the suspect an hour later when a firefighter used a thermal imaging camera spotted him lying down, knife still in hand. He was arrested shortly thereafter.Source: Chattanooga Times Free Press
Miami Beach, Fla. — A Miami Beach police officer and a Miami Beach firefighter saved the life of a committee member at a budget advisory meeting called to discuss possible cuts for both departments.
Officer Alex Bello and firefighter Adonis Garcia rushed to the side of Antonio Hernandez, who had keeled over in his chair in cardiac arrest. The pair administered CPR until fire rescue arrived and rushed Hernandez to Mount Sinai Hospital. He was expected to recover.Source: justnews.com
Chicago — Four gang members were charged with trying to shoot and kill an off-duty Chicago police officer after they mistook him for a member of a rival gang.
The officer was on his way home when he was shot at by members of the Latin Kings. The officer was still in uniform but had a shirt over his uniform shirt as he made his way home at about 3 am. He found himself being followed by another car. He tried to evade it, but
was unable. Eventually he dialed 911, but the car pulled up next to him and the occupants opened fire, striking the car and narrowly missing his head.
The officer returned fire and pursued the car until he lost sight of it. The car was found a day later and arrested one person. The other three were arrested later.Source: Chicago Tribune
Jacksonville, Fla.— A Jackson-ville sheriff’s deputy was recently suspended for two weeks without pay for reportedly using the laser sight on his Taser inappropriately.
Williams allegedly pointed the laser at two women, who report that he aimed it directly at their chests and moved it around in circles, making them “feel horrified and nervous.”
Williams was inside a Wal-Mart to assist their theft department when the incident occurred.
The officer apparently knew the wom-en, but they said his actions still made them feel “violated” and it “crossed the line.” The pair were also concerned that the Taser would accidentally go off and hurt someone.Source: theindychannel.com
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October 2009The Broward Centurion
Member Marketplace
October 2009The Broward Centurion
15bcpba.org
Are You Up To Date?
To update your personal information, please contact the PBA office Monday
through Friday between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm at 954.584.7600 or stop by in person.
Michael Braverman, P.A.2650 West State Road 84
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312
954/791-2010For Broward PBA Members
Prepaid Legal
Services
Prepaid Legal
ServicesFor Broward PBA Members
Unlawful Use of Badges, Etc.
Reminder...
817.311, Florida Statutes
(1)(817.311 SS) from and after May 9, 1949, any person who shall wear or display a badge, button, insignia or other emblem, or shall use the name of or claim to be a member of any benevolent, fraternal, social, humane, or charitable organizations, which organization is en-titled to the exclusive use of such name and such badge, button, insignia or em-blem either in the identical form or in such near resemblance thereto as to be colorable imitation thereof, unless such person is entitled so to do under the laws, rules and regulations or such organiza-tion, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in S.75.082 or S.775.083.
(2) This section shall be cumulative to any and all laws now in force in the state.Florida Statutes (1987)
Non Profit Organization
U.S. Postage PaidPermit #1677
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Broward County PBA2650 West State Road 84
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33312
©2009 Broward County PBA
